It is different here. I grew up in Iowa. I knew someone, somewhere in town, did pot. I did not. There was no pressure and I do not think it was outside of that group. Here, it is heroin, cheese, cocaine, and it is rampant, and the "popular" kids too.
CrazyMom, you are doing it again. Accusing other parents of not actively parenting and putting yourself and dd on a pedestal. We DO actively parent. We do trust our kids, but we are not in denial... we know even GOOD kids can make mistakes. That's all I'm going to say to that. I don't want to get into another argument with you. Jackie, I hear ya. I heard of kids who did pot at my school, but they were the "bad kids". Nowadays, I feel it's as if Maybe describes it. Even the "popular kids" are doing this and it is much more in the open, and accepted, which is a disturbing trend. The parents and teachers want to be "cool" so they are allowing certain behaviors to continue that shouldn't.
I also went to a big city school. I think even then it was different in small towns. No, I have never done drugs at all, never even smoked. I was always your "good kid", and so were the majority of the kids I hung with. But there were still "popular" kids who did all the above, as well as the "losers".
I've enrolled the kids in K12. The start date is next week, but both children are resisting. I feel so bad for my oldest (as his behavior isn't so bad and he has his first band concert coming up, which he won't be able to do). WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT?!
Parenting certainly isn't an easy road for so many reasons, and I applaud you for listening to your instincts. If you feel that it's best to pull the kids out of school, trust your gut -- it probably is. My husband said once that all change is challenging, even good change. This is a big transition and I can imagine it's very stressful all around. As the kids get used to their new way of doing school, they'll accept the change and settle down. We're here to listen and support you! Sending hugs your way!
Thank you... I really need it. I'm sure I want my dd to homeschool again... my hesitation is with my son. He is doing really good in band and I don't want to take that away from him. He said private lessons are not the same as being in the band at school.
Update: I don't know how, but dd's attitude is already improving. It's only been two days. DS came home from school, yesterday, and mentioned wanting to homeschool because of all the mess that goes on at school.
I've enjoyed reading the responses here. My oldest and I are fairly identical in our personalities, which means (both of us being Oldests) that we clash. A LOT. A LOOOOT. So I've schemed up this plan that I want to send him to public school in fall 2015 for 3rd grade, hoping that it will open his eyes to how BLESSED he is to be homeschooled, and then I can bring him back home after a semester or the whole year. No one seems to think this plan will work except for me AND he doesn't even want to do it! ha! So I don't know if it will happen. The prospect of "sending him to the wolves" seems incredibly sad and scary to me, but I also think the extra discipline will help him, and it will give me extra time to homeschool his younger sisters. And truthfully, I am hoping that sending him to public school in 3rd grade (when he's still little and it's "safe") will squelch any of his desires to go when he is in Jr or High school. Wishful thinking?
